I like the short, sleeveless dress. Last night I altered the pattern and today I'll sew up a muslin. It's such an easy dress to sew up. If the muslin fits, I'll get the dress done today. I hope I have enough of some stashed pink printed rayon for it. When I bought this pattern, I also got Simplicity 3773. It has the same basic shape with a great collar and a V-neckline. I think I can use my altered pattern above and just borrow the collar/neckline to morph on the pattern since it might already fit. I'm not sure about the belt and the pockets, but maybe.
I got an e-mail last night from Fabric.com that they were having a flat shipping rate sale for $3.95 until tomorrow. So, of course I had to take advantage of it and buy these fabrics.
slinky knit floral lavender
European printed floral Linen
White dotted swissI don't know why I'm so drawn to printed fabrics. I love big bright florals, but they don't look that good on me. For example:
I still haven't hemmed this yet. I've almost decided to cut it into a top and change out the sleeves to something more flattering. I really loved the fabric, but as Debbie Cook said, "The dress is wearing her, she isn't wearing the dress." I'll try to keep from making this mistake again. Maybe I should make the collared dress in a solid. I have some crepe fabric almost that same green color. It's been in the stash for about 15 years.
Now off to get that sleeveless dress done.
I still haven't hemmed this yet. I've almost decided to cut it into a top and change out the sleeves to something more flattering. I really loved the fabric, but as Debbie Cook said, "The dress is wearing her, she isn't wearing the dress." I'll try to keep from making this mistake again. Maybe I should make the collared dress in a solid. I have some crepe fabric almost that same green color. It's been in the stash for about 15 years.
Now off to get that sleeveless dress done.
Sherrill - if you really want to wear the big bold prints, you need to add some solid color in key spots so that your eye has a place to rest. Otherwise it just looks like one huge flower...so if you added some solid color in blue or brown to the neckline, sleeve hems, waistline or the hem of the dress...you would provide boundaries for the print or rest stops for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteTry my suggestion and see if you like it. I think you will be able to marry your love of larger, bolder prints to the fashions you love and lose "the dress is wearing you look."
Carolyn took the words right out of my mouth. As you know I love prints too, but without a solid somewhere, it's just too much of a blob on me.
ReplyDeleteI've discovered a liking for prints too. I think Carolyn's suggestion is a good one and worth trying.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn's suggestion is on the ball. I think in this situation, this is where the sewer's creativity comes into play. I'm trying to discern the pattern lines in the dress--it' looks like it's a twist top: maybe making the top in on a solid and the rest of the dress in the pattern (or vice-versa) or adding contrast piping or bands where the different pattern pieces are joined. I like large patterns, too, and it can be an added challenge to make the fabric choice work. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you so much about prints. I find them very seductive to sew. I can at least get that fantasy worked out on my grandchildren's clothing! They are fun to sew. You have gotten some great advice here on using them. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
ReplyDelete